29.The Questionnaire

Richton, who straightened his back from a sitting position, asked for an explanation with a light wink. His expression was much more lively compared to yesterday when he forced me to kill. Even though I was pale

“Last night, Azmaria Will asked me about Ingord’s madness. She even handed me jewellery. I think I should know what she’s thinking. Please use me.”

Tuk, tuk. The sound of his finger tapping on the desk echoed through the office. His eyes that would tear her face apart were fierce. However, it doesn’t have the feeling of eating and swallowing me as before. Richton, out of madness, looked at me silently. He looked peaceful and stable. He felt like a different being.

“Berkne, get Susan a proper identity.”

His answer was only delayed for a few seconds, so I was surprised along with Berkne. Richton, who stared into my eyes for a moment, added slowly.

“Princess Beatrice wouldn’t be bad either.”

As soon as the permission was given, Berkne left the office. The east corridor of the Duke’s second floor was empty and calm even during a time when guests were full.

“You really don’t know, Susan. It’s hard to keep up with your thoughts at any point.”

Berkne showed a little embarrassment, but didn’t push me.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Berkne. You don’t care much about me.”

“I can’t help it but care. What the hell made you say that to the Duke?”

Was that crazy behavior? As I slowly broached Berkne’s words, I clearly understood what he meant. It seemed to mean that I had the guts to make demands when I stood in front of Richton and said what I wanted to say.

“Why is it crazy to investigate a strange aristocratic young lady? I’m doing the right thing as the master’s dog.”

“It’s already been delivered from Keane.”

“What can a strong brute do? You’ll only get suspicious of being a rutting* dog while you’re hanging around. It’s obvious.”

(Pr/n: indiscriminate sexual activity)

“That’s harsh, Keane isn’t the one to be treated like that anywhere.”

It was none of my business how others treated Keane. The important thing is that I don’t have to be mute in front of Richton anymore.

I dedicated everything to him last night. It wasn’t just a sexual act or an act of ardent love. I handed over more than that to Richton. The last reason why I was holding onto so that I wouldn’t forget who I am.

So I had the right to ask Richton what I desired. Even more so if that is incidentally relevant to the safety of the owner. Don’t dogs complain to their owners when they are hungry? I gave everything to show obedience to Richton. So this is a natural right.

The sunset has set, and the time for dinner to wrap up the autumn banquet has come. With Richton’s help, I got off the wagon and smiled quietly. It’s because no matter how veiled I am, Richton’s eyes always make me feel like they are touching my bare skin through all obstacles.

“I’m sorry, Richton. Something cumbersome happened on the way here, so I was two days late.”

None of the guests attending the banquet were directly welcomed by Richton. However, he came out to greet me while they were about to have dinner. The seat next to him still seemed to belong to Beatrice.

“I’ve been wondering if I’ve been rejected for two days, Princess. You have saved my face with this.”

The interior of the castle was as bright as the early morning from the outside. Dozens of glances poured on between the lights. Since I’m a princess, it would be nice to have fun. I laughed loudly, covering my mouth with a fan and sticking to Richton’s arm like a cicada.

“Are you kidding me? I’m already your prisoner. Don’t forget that you are responsible for taming me.”

He held my hand and laughed meaningfully. It was a breathtaking smile. The dinner hall where I arrived was filled with people one by one. The subtly shining flower-shaped lanterns, paintings on the walls, and elegant ceiling paintings made the dinner hall’s mellow atmosphere stand out.

“I heard that Ingord has dazzling flowers that vibrate with color… but it doesn’t seem to compare with the beautiful noble girls of the Empire when they have gathered in one place.”

“Would you like to do it alone?”

The seat Richton escorted me wasn’t next to him. Naturally, Azmaria and some familiar aristocrats were sitting next to my seat. Their eyes were on me from the entrance until we sat down.

Not just them, but everyone did. The appearance of his current lover, Beatrice, at the Ingorde Autumn Banquet, called the “Duke’s Lady Selection” for a joke, was very eye-catching.

“We’ve met before, haven’t we? I’m so glad to see you again. We didn’t even get to say goodbye then.”

I didn’t know that meeting them at that time would help me in this way. The ladies sitting next to Azmaria were the ones who spoke ill of Ms. Jasmine’s together with the Crohertz family.

Azmaria leaned down formally. The woman whispered in the ear of Azmaria in a voice that I could not hear. To guess what she whispered… She’d say I witnessed the affair of Marquis Crohertz and Countess Jasmine, the Emperor’s mistress.

“I’m Beatrice Adenrozia Kale. Can I ask who this beautiful young lady is?”

“This is Azmaria Will, Your Highness. Feel free to call me Azmaria.”

“Ah! Prince Wilhilm’s fiancée. Nice to meet you, Azmaria. I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

Despite my rather rude remarks and actions, Azmaria gave a polite smile.

“I’m just here to enjoy a banquet with my friends.”

The calm way of talking and her expression compared to when she was dealing with me when I was Susan, it’s something only the lover of the main character could do. I stared at the ladies behind her and whispered in a low voice.

“My friend told me. You’re about to enter the lion’s mouth.”

Azmaria seemed to reflect slowly on the hidden meaning of my words without uneasiness. Soon after, she replied in a very small voice.

“I didn’t know that you would be in touch with a maid. What is the maid’s true identity?”

“Why curious about that? She is just a maid of honor.”

The dinner began and appetizers were prepared for the nineteen attendees.

“Why don’t we stop talking about the maid and talk about something a little more interesting? For example, each other’s lovers.”

An unhidden vigilance rose above Azmaria’s clear eyes.

“Among the ladies, Prince Wilhillm’s reputation was very good. How about as a lover?”

“……He is a good person, very good.”

“Really?”

I wondered if this woman knew that living and breathing Wilhelm was different from the Wilhelm in the 『The River Where the Sun Manoeuvres』

“Are you serious?”

Perhaps he’s a sweet guy in front of his fiance. I remembered the Wilhelm that I saw in my dream. Wilhelm, who showed excessive kindness to a girl who used to act like a dog, must have been very affectionate to his fiance.

“I don’t know what you want to hear.”

“I don’t really want to hear anything. I just want to talk about each other’s love stories.”

Azmaria swallowed the wine with a restrained expression. I couldn’t help but talk to her first because she seemed to have a heavier mouth than I thought.

“Since the young lady doesn’t talk much, shall we talk about me? Do you have any questions about Richton? Or Ingord.”

In a bustling dinner hall with a ripening atmosphere, there was a sense of silence between Azmaria and me as if walking on a diagonal line.

“Oh, how about this? Let’s exchange questions. Why is it so important to be a man, let’s just ask anything that’s not related to our lovers.”

If Ingord’s limited range was something that made her burdensome… As expected, complex emotions began to mix with her dull expression. I pushed her as far as I could with her soft, good-natured voice.

“Come on, Azmaria. Think carefully. You know opportunities like this aren’t common.”

Haha! I heard a loud laugh of men from somewhere. Azmaria, who slowly swallowed her wine for the third time, opened her mouth a long time later.

“Alright. I’ll ask you first. Has the Princess made a promise to marry His Excellency Richton?”

The first question is about Richton, even if the scope of restriction is lifted. It is unknown if she’s in a hurry or being honest.

“If that’s what you are most curious about. The answer is, no.”

Her face seemed calm, as if she had already been expecting. Still, why did you ask? For me, this conversation wasn’t boring, and I needed to be certain. Perhaps I should have reminded her of the importance of this time.

“It is my turn. Do you know about the dog of His Highness Wilhelm?”

Azmaria’s hand stopped in the air just as she was lowering her glass. I didn’t know that the eyes stained with confusion would stare at my face.

“How did you know that story …?”

“I am very interested in gossip.”

“It’s an issue that no one in the royal family knows about. Your Highness can’t know.”

“How would our Young lady Azmaria know if she didn’t even know the royal officials… Because you’re his fiancé?”

Wilhelm’s reluctant past was not mentioned in the book, and I could only confirm it through Agrane’s dream. But how does Azmaria know? Because she is his fiancé? Is the trust deep enough to share each other’s vices?

“I don’t need to hear the answer to my question. What’s next?”

Azmaria’s beautiful face has become more cautious. I quite liked her changed attitude. The question, which came after a long thought, was slow and calm as if she had been careful.

“Mr. Richton… What kind of woman is he looking for?”

“There isn’t.”

The answer came straight, but it started to get a little complicated in my head. The intention of the question was clear. Azmaria is also aware of the existence of Agrane. Is she Agrane? How? She continued to talk, unable to hide her disappointment.

“But I think there was a woman he hated so desperately.”

Azmaria, with a woeful look on her face, bit her rosy red lips. Short regrets and remorse stayed under the wall and disappeared. She was grieving. As if Richton’s bowl of hatred was for her.

“Azmaria.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Are you interested in Richton?”